Effects on logistic operations from RFID- and EPCIS-enabled traceability

Abstract

Purpose The paper explores the potential effects on logistic operations of implementing the Electronic Product Code Information Service (EPCIS) standard and radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to enable food traceability. A conceptual model for analysing supply chains according to EPCIS standard is also presented. Design/methodology/approach A literature review was conducted to establish a theoretical framework. A case study of a Swedish fresh fish supply chain was then carried out. Findings Implementation of the EPCIS standard and RFID technology to enable food traceability potentially affects the following logistic operations activities: identification, monitoring, labelling, goods handling, reporting of production, identification costs and revenue changes due to sales of goods. The conceptual model was used to analyse the effects. Research implications/limitations The paper contributes to logistic research by studying the implementation of RFID technology and information standards to comply with food traceability requirements. The research is limited to fish supply chains; other sectors and supply chains need to be investigated for further generalisation the results. Practical implications Regulatory requirements on food traceability stipulate the implementation of food traceability systems, placing the responsibility on companies by authorities. The research presented can support managers in understanding the potential effects of implementing such systems. 2 Originality/value The discussion about logistics and food traceability has in part revolved around implementation of RFID technology and standardised approaches for handling information to preserve food quality and safety. This paper presents potential effects on logistic operations when implementing the EPCIS standard and RFID technology as a way of enabling traceability throughout food supply chains.

Towards a decision support framework for technologies used in cold supply chain traceability

“…These requirements are specified in the European General Food Law specifically regulation no. 178/2002178/ (EU, 2002, which was enforced January the 1 st 2005 and it requires mandatory traceability for all food and feed products sold within the European Union countries (Aung & Chang, 2014;Dabbene et al, 2014;H. A. Ringsberg & Mirzabeiki, 2014;Zhang & Bhatt, 2014).…”

“…This type of traceability requires a considerable amount of manual work, which is time consuming and can lead to errors (Dandage et al, 2017;Parreno-Marchante et al, 2014). This results in a low level of efficiency (Mgonja et al, 2013;H. A. Ringsberg & Mirzabeiki, 2014) and difficulties in fulfilling legal food traceability requirements (H. A.…”

The seafood supply chain from a fraudulent perspective

“…1) hauling the fish from the water using netting, angling or trapping methods. The catch are placed in dedicated fish boxes whilst by-catch is discarded at sea, where legally permissible to do so (Ringsberg and Mirzabeiki 2014;Gordon and Hussain 2015). Finfish reared in indoor tanks, are graded and transferred to holding tanks before transport to the processing facility.…”

Scalability conditions of the measuring points network in a production system using the RFID selective gate technology

“…The aim of using RFID is to share data encoded in tags and reading them in time and place required by adopted solutions of the system [13,14]. The typical RFID activity is based on a set of antennas connected to a controller and embedded on a company specific structure called the RFID gate [15,16].…”